2000th and counting

Its not over till its actually over.!

It was a bright morning of 15th March, 1877 when England and Australia played first Test match ever. Charles Bannerman was the first batsman to register a run on the scorecard. It was beginning of an era which was never thought to end. Bannerman’s 67% contribution in the team total still stands out as a record. Australia sealed the first match and announced itself in the international arena.

The numbers began to rise tremendously and within no time witnessed arrival of eleven regular test playing nations. Matches became regular and their number kept on increasing. Game advanced with such ease that in a span of 134 years, we close in to the 2000^th Test match. The match is scheduled to be amidst two top international sides of India and England. Call it coincidence or fate, Lords-Mecca of cricket will be home to the epic clash beginning from 21st July, 2011.

There is something exciting about a Lord’s Test. Two of Test cricket’s highest century-makers, Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (51) have 85 centuries between them, but not one at Lord’s. Sachin gets a chance to correct that; otherwise his friend Ajit Agarkar, who has a century at Lord’s will always have that achievement over the Little Master.

It seems yesterday when 1000^th Test match was played at the Niaz Stadium, Hydrabad, Pakistan between Pakistan and New Zealand. Records have tumbled and history has been rewritten. Only thing which still remains intact is the very essence and game of Cricket. Journey of the game has been so exciting that it has only added to the larger fan base. Game has served with greats like WG Grace, Sir Don Bradman, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and many more.

Despite evolution of different forms of cricket, test cricket continues to enjoy its share of dominance on annual fixtures. Many argued that T20 and ODI will outshine test cricket culture; such thoughts were far from affecting the format as it only got better and exciting. You may play 100 ODIs and 20 T20s, but a test birth is what every player dreams of. Lasting for five days, it takes heavy toll on mind and body.

India and England will not only lock horns for the 2000^th test match ever, also play the 100^thtest match amidst the two. Test match begins on 21^st July, 2011 and kick of the 4 match npower series.

As Mark Twain might have said, news of Test cricket’s death has been greatly exaggerated. And that’s the best news the teams will take to Lord’s. There will be those who say it is just another Test match. They are right, of course. The 1000th Test was just another match, so there is no reason why the 2000th should be something more.